How to Downgrade macOS

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Downgrading macOS involves rolling back your Mac operating system to a previous version. This process may be necessary if you find that the new version of macOS is not compatible with your apps or hardware or if it does not work as expected. This guide will walk you through the steps needed to downgrade macOS. Downgrading involves creating a backup, getting the correct installer, and carefully following the steps to ensure data retention and system functionality.

Why downgrade macOS?

There are several reasons you might want to downgrade your macOS:

• Compatibility issues: Some applications may not work as expected on the new macOS version due to software incompatibility.
• Performance concerns: You may experience reduced performance or slow system response on the updated macOS.
• Preference: Maybe you prefer the interface or features of an older macOS version.
• Bugs and Errors: New versions may sometimes contain bugs or errors that have not yet been fixed or improved.

Things to consider before downgrading

Before starting the downgrade process, there are several important factors to consider:

• Back up your data: Downgrading your macOS will erase everything on your disk. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that you have a complete backup of your data.
• Limited support: Older macOS versions may no longer be supported by Apple, which means they may not receive security updates.
• Availability: Make sure you have access to the installer for the version of macOS you want to downgrade to.
• Time commitment: The downgrading process can be time-consuming. Reserve a period when you don't need to use your Mac extensively.

Preparing to downgrade macOS

Here's how to properly prepare for downgrading your macOS:

Step 1: Back up your data

Use Time Machine or a cloud storage service to back up your entire system:

1. Connect an external hard drive to your Mac. 2. Open Time Machine and select 'Select Backup Disk.' 3. Choose your external drive as the backup disk. 4. Click 'Back Up Now' to start the backup.

Make sure all your important files, documents, and settings are safely backed up. You don't want to lose any data during the downgrade.

Step 2: Get the required installers

To downgrade you'll need to access the macOS installer for the version you want to go back to:

• Access the App Store to download the installers for the previous macOS versions you want to install.
• If the version isn’t available in the App Store, check online for legitimate sources.
• Save the downloaded installer to an external drive or USB to use during the downgrade process.

Step 3: Create a bootable installer

To downgrade, you'll need to create a bootable installer using the downloaded macOS installer:

1. Insert your USB drive (at least 16GB) into your Mac.
2. Open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder.
3. Use the following Terminal command, replacing “MyVolume” with the name of your USB drive:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [OS Name].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

This command will format the drive and copy the installer files to create a bootable installer.

Downgrading macOS: A step-by-step guide

Once you're ready to downgrade with a backup and bootable installer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Shut down your Mac

Make sure your Mac is completely shut down before proceeding:

1. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner. 2. Select 'Shut Down' and confirm your choice.

Step 2: Boot into Recovery Mode

After your Mac has properly shut down, you'll need to boot into Recovery Mode to erase your hard drive:

• Turn on your Mac and immediately hold down the Option + Command + R keys.
• Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
• You will be taken to the macOS Recovery options.

Step 3: Format your hard drive

In Recovery mode, you will need to format your Mac's hard drive. Be careful, this step will erase all data:

1. From the macOS Utilities window, select Disk Utility and click 'Continue.'
2. Select your main hard drive (usually labeled Macintosh HD) from the sidebar.
3. Click 'Delete' at the top of the window.
4. For the format type, select 'APFS' (or Mac OS Extended when downgrading to very old versions).
5. Click 'Erase' to confirm and wait for the process to complete.
6. Once erased, exit Disk Utility using the red circle in the upper left corner.

Step 4: Install an older version of macOS

You’ll now use your bootable installer to install the older macOS version:

1. With your Mac still in Recovery Mode, reconnect the USB drive containing the bootable installer you created.
2. Reboot your Mac by clicking the Apple menu and selecting 'Restart.'
3. While booting, hold down the Option key until you see the boot menu.
4. Select your USB drive from the boot menu to load the installer.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the older version of macOS.

Step 5: Restore your data

After successfully installing the older version of macOS, restore your data from the backup you created:

• Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.
• Open Applications > Utilities and select 'Migration Assistant'.
• Select 'From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk' and click 'Continue.'
• Select your backup disk and follow the prompts to restore your data.

Checking after downgrade

When the downgrade is complete and your data is restored, take a moment to verify that everything is working correctly:

• Make sure all your documents, files, and applications are safe and sound.
• Test your system for expected improvements by downgrading.
• Make sure your apps that were incompatible with the new macOS version are working properly.

Troubleshooting tips

If you encounter problems during or after the downgrade process, consider these suggestions:

• Installation problems: If the installer fails, double-check your USB drive and restart the process.
• Backup issues: Make sure your Time Machine or other backup solution is set up correctly.
• Connectivity issues: If network drivers are missing, verify that your version of macOS supports them or try reinstalling.

Conclusion

Downgrading macOS can be a daunting task, but by following this detailed guide, you can achieve it with minimal stress. Make sure to properly back up your data, use the correct installer for the OS version you want to revert to, and carefully format and install according to the instructions provided. Once done, you'll have your Mac back to its previous state with improved compatibility and performance according to your needs. Remember, always keep backups and update judiciously, weighing the benefits of new features against the stability and compatibility you currently get.

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